By Ron Hamilton, Shelbyville News staff writer

City and county elected officials heard details Monday evening about a proposed Purdue University-supported $10 million equine center located near Indiana Downs.

The price tag for the city of Shelbyville and Shelby County would be a combined $2.3 million, or $1,150,000 apiece, in either casino proceeds or economic development income tax revenues, while the university would fund the rest, officials said.

Dr. Willie Reed, dean of veterinarian medicine at Purdue, told members of the Shelbyville Common Council, Shelby County Council and Shelby County Board of Commissioners gathered at the Intelliplex Conference Center that he visualizes the creation of a world-class regional equine diagnostic and surgical center located north of Shelbyville and a few miles from the Indiana Downs horse racing facility.

"I believe this would expand opportunities for regional equine practitioners and establish Shelby County as the equine center for the state of Indiana," Reed told the gathered group of nearly two dozen elected officials and business professionals.

According to former state Sen. Robert Jackman, R-Milroy, the possibility of locating an equine center near Indiana Downs has been in the works for more than two years.

"This is a moment of destiny for me," said Jackman, a veterinarian. "This project goes back to May 2007, when I first met Dr. Reed in Indianapolis. Everybody - including Purdue University President France Cordova - has been very positive and supportive about wanting this to happen."

Jackman said Shelbyville and Shelby County elected officials have responded well to the proposed project.

"They've taken this thing and ran with it like a fish takes to the hook," he said. "I'm very proud of how it's worked out. The entire community should be proud because this is going to be the only university-sponsored equine center in the world."

Jackman added that it was a moment of great pride for the Shelby County community to be able to partner with a "top-notch and prestigious university like Purdue."

Jackman noted that the facility would begin by specializing in horses but could eventually expand to include other large animals.

"Who knows what the future might bring?" he said. "This is something that's never been done before. It eventually could prove to be a boon to the local cattle and dairy industries after several years. It should generate spin-off industries like pharmaceuticals, lab testing and equine forage growing and feeding."

County Councilman Tony Titus said he liked what he heard regarding the proposed equine center. He said the facility would benefit more than just the local racing industry.

"It also would help 4-H animals and pleasure horses," Titus said. "I've discussed this with many of my constituents in the Fairland area, and I've found solid support for this."

Reed said the equine center would present a unique opportunity for a partnership between Purdue University, Shelbyville, Shelby County, local veterinarians and members of the local and state horse racing industry.

"We at the university believe this will bring associated businesses and jobs to the Shelby County area," Reed said.

Mayor Scott Furgeson acknowledged that the project would not create a lot of jobs in the beginning, but he praised the long-term potential for attracting related businesses to the area.

"And you can't overestimate or overstate the important benefits to the community of partnering with a major university like Purdue," he said. "It lends a lot of prestige to the area."

Reed said the entire project would cost $10 million. About $2.3 million would come from the city and the county, and $1.5 million would be supplied by an endowment. The remaining $6.2 million would be raised through private fundraising efforts.

"I promise you that the full array of the university fundraising machine will be behind this project," he said.

Plans call for an 18,000-square-foot, one-floor facility costing $4.6 million and built on a 70-acre parcel of land estimated to cost about $1.4 million. He said the feasibility study and site selection have been completed but refused to disclose where the facility would be located.

"We can't discuss the exact location right now because land acquisition is still an ongoing process," he said.

County Councilman Bob Carmony was enthusiastic about the project. Many business officials credit him as one of the prime "movers and shakers" behind the project.

"I look at this as just the beginning," Carmony said. "We're merely planting seeds right now that I believe will grow and eventually prove to be a tremendous benefit to the entire community."

City and county officials said they plan to begin the process soon of discussing the proposal and considering funding and land acquisition issues at future governmental meetings.

Shelbyville Common Council President Kim Owens said there appears to be "general support" among members of the council, but she does not expect the matter to come before the body at its next meeting on Monday.